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| Ofcom 'could be handed external control of the BBC' under plans to be published | Ofcom 'could be handed external control of the BBC' under plans to be published |
| (2 days later) | |
| A Government report on the future of the BBC is set to recommend that the BBC Trust be abolished and its powers handed to Ofcom, it has been reported. | A Government report on the future of the BBC is set to recommend that the BBC Trust be abolished and its powers handed to Ofcom, it has been reported. |
| The Daily Telegraph newspaper says an upcoming Green Paper into the Corporation’s future will present putting the Corporation under external control for the first time in its history. | The Daily Telegraph newspaper says an upcoming Green Paper into the Corporation’s future will present putting the Corporation under external control for the first time in its history. |
| Under the plan the industry regulator’s role would be expanded and it would have direct oversight of the public broadcaster to ensure impartiality. | Under the plan the industry regulator’s role would be expanded and it would have direct oversight of the public broadcaster to ensure impartiality. |
| The Department for Culture, Media and Sport stressed to the Independent that the report was speculation. | The Department for Culture, Media and Sport stressed to the Independent that the report was speculation. |
| "No decisions have been taken. All aspects of the BBC are up for debate as part of the Charter Review process," a DCMS spokesperson said. | "No decisions have been taken. All aspects of the BBC are up for debate as part of the Charter Review process," a DCMS spokesperson said. |
| Politicians and activists from all parts of the political spectrum sometimes criticise the BBC’s coverage as biased against them. | Politicians and activists from all parts of the political spectrum sometimes criticise the BBC’s coverage as biased against them. |
| The BBC Trust is the governing body of the BBC. It is operationally independent from the broadcaster and is tasked with making decisions in the interests of licence-fee payers. | The BBC Trust is the governing body of the BBC. It is operationally independent from the broadcaster and is tasked with making decisions in the interests of licence-fee payers. |
| It was set up in 2007 to replace the previous Board of Governors. | It was set up in 2007 to replace the previous Board of Governors. |
| The report comes as the Independent reports that the BBC is facing the threat of a huge budget cut, as the Government considers making it pay the £600m cost of free TV licences itself. | The report comes as the Independent reports that the BBC is facing the threat of a huge budget cut, as the Government considers making it pay the £600m cost of free TV licences itself. |
| The proposal is set to be on the table as part of George Osborne’s upcoming budget on 8 July. | The proposal is set to be on the table as part of George Osborne’s upcoming budget on 8 July. |
| Last week BBC political editor Nick Robinson revealed in an interview with the Guardian newspaper that David Cameron joked during the election campaign that he might close down the BBC. | Last week BBC political editor Nick Robinson revealed in an interview with the Guardian newspaper that David Cameron joked during the election campaign that he might close down the BBC. |
| Newly appointed Culture Secretary John Whittingdale has been a critic of some aspects of the Corporation, having described licence fee funding arrangement as worse than a “poll tax”. | Newly appointed Culture Secretary John Whittingdale has been a critic of some aspects of the Corporation, having described licence fee funding arrangement as worse than a “poll tax”. |
| The Conservative manifesto pledged to deliver a “comprehensive” review of the BBC’s Royal Charter. | The Conservative manifesto pledged to deliver a “comprehensive” review of the BBC’s Royal Charter. |
| The party says the move would ensure the broadcaster “delivers value for money for the licence fee payer, while maintaining a world class service and supporting our creative industries”. | The party says the move would ensure the broadcaster “delivers value for money for the licence fee payer, while maintaining a world class service and supporting our creative industries”. |
| BBC Trust spokesman said: “We aren’t going to comment on speculation and these issues will be debated as part of Charter Review. The important principle is that the BBC’s independence is protected.” | BBC Trust spokesman said: “We aren’t going to comment on speculation and these issues will be debated as part of Charter Review. The important principle is that the BBC’s independence is protected.” |